Impressive airshow over Hanoi skies at Vietnam International Defense Expo 2024

The Vietnam International Defense Expo 2024 opened in Hanoi on December 19, and one of the most anticipated shows is an advanced high-difficulty maneuver by 14 Su-30MK2 fighter jets and armed helicopters from three air divisions of the Air Defense-Air Force Service.

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All the fighter jets manoeuvre and release decoy flares with a high degree of precision and professional skills.

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A barrel roll is an aerobatic manoeuvre that involves rolling and looping at the same time often seen in displays by pilots or in sports like skydiving, aerobatic flying, or air racing.

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These moves require high skills and control to maintain safety and stability in the three-dimensional space.

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Such a complicated and sill manoeuvre requires an experienced pilot to control the aircraft to ensure safety.

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A flare or decoy flare is an aerial infrared countermeasure used by aircraft to counter an infrared homing surface-to-air missile or air-to-air missile.

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Flares are commonly composed of a pyrotechnic composition based on magnesium or another hot-burning metal, with burning temperature equal to or hotter than engine exhaust.

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The aim is to make the infrared-guided missile seek out the heat signature from the flare rather than the aircraft's engines.

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Decoy flares are typically launched from the aircraft during an airshow to create colourful streaks or smoke trails in the air, adding to the excitement and visual appeal of the display.